Recording medium for storing information for still picture, recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A recordable and/or rewriteable recording medium for storing still picture data, and recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor. The recording medium stores still picture group information for grouping a plurality of still pictures in order to manage the still picture at a group level, and stores audio group information for grouping additional audio data added to the still picture data after the still picture data are recorded. Therefore, large-capacity still picture data and additional audio data added thereto can be recorded using a minimum amount of management information. Further, during reproduction, data can be displayed and edited in units of the respective still pictures. Also, it is possible to cope with after-recording of the audio data.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/747,139filed on Dec. 30, 2003, currently pending, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 09/339,191 filed on Jun. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,804,456, which claims the benefit of Korean Application Nos.98-23992 filed on Jun. 24, 1998, and 98-41757 filed on Oct. 2, 1998, inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office. The disclosures of applicationSer. Nos. 10/747,139 and 09/339,191 and Korean Application Nos. 98-23992and 98-41757 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to recording and/or reproducing audioand/or video data using a rewriteable recording medium, and moreparticularly, to a recording medium for storing still pictures andadditional audio data added thereto for effective processing, and arecording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 shows a connection structure for various kinds of information ina moving picture and moving picture data, in recording/reproducing audioand/or video data on a recordable and/or rewriteable recording medium,specifically, a digital versatile disk (DVD), and more precisely, itillustrates the relationship between program chain (PGC) information 11for treating data logically, moving picture information 12 consisting ofvideo object (VOB) information, and a moving picture data file 13 inwhich actually compressed audio/video (A/V) data are recorded in VOBunits.

First, terms used throughout the specification will now be described.Supposing a movie was recorded in first and second parts, the overallmovie is a program chain (PGC) and the first and second parts areprograms. Also, each program can be defined by further dividing the sameinto several cells called sub-units. The information in each cell canwholly or partially define a video object (VOB). In such an event, eachcell is used as a basic accessing unit during reproduction, and theprogram and PGC are only the information for connectivity between aplurality of cells.

Also, since data is actually sub-divided into video object units (VOBUs)and recorded in a moving picture data file, the VOB information consistsof various kinds of information relating to the VOBU data, that is, VOBU#1, VOBU #2, . . . and the VOB data in the moving picture data file 13is accessed by the VOB information. Here, the VOB data is used as arandom access unit of a disk recording/reproducing apparatus. The VOBUis based on a single GOP (Group of Pictures) in the case of an MPEG(Moving Picture Experts Group) video, and audio data corresponding tovideo data is collected, that is, A/V data is multiplexed into sectors,to constitute a VOBU.

The data format shown in FIG. 1 is concerned with the moving picture, inwhich the unit of actual data, the VOB, comprises moving picture datafor a fixed period of time. Synchronization or encoding of A/V signalsis performed in units of VOBs. However, in the case of a still picture,each VOB constitutes a still picture. When a VOB is designated in a cellstructure, a cell is necessary for each still picture. Thus, as morestill pictures are recorded, more information is added.

Generally, data errors may be generated if data is recorded on arecordable disk a predetermined number of times. Thus, there is a limitin the number of times of rewriting data on a disk. All information isstored in the memory of a controller for controlling the system for thepurpose of limiting the number of recording times and rapidly accessingdata. However, as described above, in the case of a still picture, ifthe amount of information is increased, much time is required forreading the information. Also, there is a limit to the amount ofinformation that can be stored in a memory with a limited size.Accordingly, it is not possible to record a large-capacity stillpicture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above problems, it is a first object of the presentinvention to provide a recording medium for effectively storinginformation for a large-capacity still picture by grouping thelarge-capacity still pictures and storing the information for the stillpicture groups.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a recordingmedium for arranging still picture group information consisting of videoinformation for a still picture and video and audio information for astill picture having original audio data added thereto in the recordingorder of recorded bitstreams and storing the same.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a recordingmedium for recording additional audio data added to a still picture dataand storing additional audio group information for grouping the recordedadditional audio data to manage the same.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a method forrecording still picture group information for grouping large-capacitystill pictures to manage the same, and reproduction-related cellinformation, and reproducing a still picture in accordance with therecorded information.

It is fifth object of the present invention to provide a method ofrecording still picture group information consisting of videoinformation for still pictures and video and audio information for astill picture having original audio data added thereto, andreproduction-related cell information, and reproducing a still pictureor a still picture having original audio data added thereto.

It is sixth object of the present invention to provide a method ofrecording still picture group information, additional audio groupinformation for after-recording and reproduction-related cellinformation, and reproducing a still picture, a still picture havingoriginal audio data added thereto, or a still picture having additionalaudio data added thereto in accordance with the recorded information.

It is seventh object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor recording still picture group information for groupinglarge-capacity still pictures and managing the same, additional audiogroup information for after-recording separately from the still picturegroup information, and reproduction-related cell information, andreproducing a still picture, a still picture having original audio dataadded thereto, or a still picture having additional audio data addedthereto in accordance with the recorded information.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

To achieve these objects, there is provided a recording medium includinga first region having a plurality of still picture data, a second regionhaving a plurality of additional audio data added to the still picturedata, and a third region having information indicating the connectivitybetween the still picture data in the first region and the additionalaudio data in the second region.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method ofrecording and/or reproducing audio and/or video data on a recordableand/or rewriteable recording medium including (a) recording a pluralityof still pictures, (b) separating the plurality of still pictures intowithin a predetermined maximum number of groups and recording stillpicture group information and playback information related toreproduction, (c) recording additional audio data added to a desiredstill picture in a separate area, after the plurality of still picturesare recorded, and (d) recording additional audio group information forseparating the additional audio data into within a predetermined maximumnumber of groups in order to manage the additional audio data at a grouplevel, and information indicative of the additional audio datacorresponding to the desired still picture, wherein the informationindicative of the additional audio data is included in the still picturegroup information.

The method according to the present invention may further include (e)reading the still picture group information to be reproduced inaccordance with the playback information, (f) calculating the positionof a desired still picture in accordance with the read still picturegroup information and reproducing the still picture data located at thecalculated position, and (g) if the information indicative of anadditional audio group is present in the read still picture groupinformation, calculating the position of the additional audio data forthe corresponding still picture in accordance with the additional audiogroup information and reproducing the corresponding additional audiodata.

In a reproduction method of a recording medium comprising a first regionhaving data for a plurality of still pictures, a second region havingdata for a plurality of additional audio data added to the stillpictures, and a third region having information indicating theconnectivity between the still picture data in the first region and theadditional audio data in the second region, the reproduction methodincludes reproducing the still picture data in the first region and theadditional audio data added to the still picture data, based on theconnectivity information in the third region.

The apparatus according to the present invention includes a recordingprocessor for signal-processing a plurality of still picture data to berecorded in a first region of the recording medium and signal-processinga plurality of additional audio data added to the still picture data tobe recorded in a second region of the recording medium, and a controllerto generate connectivity information indicative of the connectivitybetween the still picture data in the first region and the additionalaudio data in the second region, and playback information related to thereproduction order, and to control the same to be recorded in a thirdregion.

Also, the apparatus may further include a playback processor forsignal-processing the still picture data in the first region and theadditional audio data added to the still picture data to be reproducedbased on the information in the third region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent by describing in detail a preferred embodiment thereofwith reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a connection structure of various kinds ofinformation and data in a moving picture;

FIG. 2 shows an example of an overall information structure according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between various kinds of information andstill picture data in a still picture according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a recording/reproducing apparatus accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between still picture data and stillpicture group information according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between additional audio data added tostill picture data and additional audio group information according tothe present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between cell information and still picturegroup information;

FIG. 8 shows the relationship among cell information, still picturegroup information and additional audio group information;

FIG. 9 illustrates the structure of still picture group informationaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents ofgeneral information for a still picture group shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates the structure of a map table for a still pictureshown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of avideo map in the map table shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of anoriginal audio map connected to the video map shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates the structure of still picture and additional audiogroup information according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents ofgeneral information for still picture and additional audio data shown inFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates the structure of a map table for still picture andadditional audio data shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of themap table for still picture and additional audio data shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of cellinformation for the still picture shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are flow charts showing a method for recording a stillpicture according to an embodiment of a present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a method for recording additional audiodata after recording a still picture according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a method for reproducing a still pictureaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 22A and 22B are flowcharts showing a method for reproducing astill picture according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of recording media for storing theinformation for a still picture, and recording and/or reproducing methodand apparatus therefor, will be described, examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments aredescribed below in order to explain the present invention by referringto the figures.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an overall information structure according tothe present invention, in which information consisting of PGCinformation, moving picture information and still picture informationcan be recorded in an information file or an information area.

Here, PGC general information contains information such as the number ofprograms in a PGC. Program general information contains information suchas the number of cells in a program. The cell information designates aVOB in the case of a moving picture, as shown in FIG. 1, and designatesa still picture VOB group (to be abbreviated as “still picture group”for brevity) instead of a VOB, in the case of a still picture, as shownin FIG. 3. Since the moving picture information has already beendescribed with reference to FIG. 1, a description thereof will beomitted herein and still picture information according to the presentinvention will now be described. Still picture general informationcontains information relating to a number of kinds of still picturegroup information, and additional audio general information for thestill picture contains information relating to a number of kinds ofadditional audio group information.

FIG. 3 shows the connection structure of various kinds of informationand still picture data in a still picture. In other words, in a stillpicture recorded in units of VOBs in a data file, a plurality of VOBsfor still pictures are managed by a still picture group, and cellinformation contained in the PGC information 21 designates still picturegroup information (GVOB), rather than a single VOB information. Also,audio data may be recorded in addition to the still picture. The audiodata is recorded consecutively after the still picture is recorded,thereby reducing the search time of a reproducing head duringreproduction. The audio data recorded together with the still picture iscalled original audio data, which is contained in the still picturegroup. In the present invention, unless specifically defined, a stillpicture represents both one having only a video part and one having theoriginal audio part and the video part. By managing the still picture bygrouping the same in such a manner, the amount of cell information andstill picture information can be reduced. For example, video codingattributes or original audio coding attributes in a still picture groupare assimilated, thus forming still picture group general information,and stored as common information. For the respective still pictures, thepositions thereof in the still picture data file must be indicated. Inthe case when the still pictures are not separated into a plurality ofgroups, the start positions of the respective still pictures must beindicated. However, in the case when the still pictures are grouped, thestart position at which the pertinent still picture group starts to berecorded in a file is stored in the still picture group generalinformation and then only the sizes of the respective still pictures arerecorded as the information for the respective still pictures. Since theamount of information indicative of the size of still picture data,i.e., the number of bytes, is generally less than that indicative of theposition in a file, the overall amount of information can be reduced.

A user may add separate additional audio data to a desired still pictureafter recording the still picture and original audio data on a stillpicture file 23. At this time, only the additional audio data arecollected and recorded in a separate area in the additional audio datafile 24 or the still picture file 23, with the original audio data beingretained. The additional audio data are also managed by grouping in thesame manner as in the still picture data and the concept thereof is thesame as that of the still picture data. In other words, a plurality ofadditional audio data having the same attributes, e.g., audio codingattributes, are grouped into an additional audio group (to beabbreviated as “GAOB”) and then additional audio group generalinformation is recorded as common information. For the respectiveadditional audio data AOBs, necessary data for each AOB, for example,the size information, is recorded. The additional audio group generalinformation contains the start positions of audio data in the respectiveadditional audio groups (GAOBs) (start positions of each additionalaudio group). The connection information for the additional audio dataadded to the specific still picture, which is indicated by thick arrowsin FIG. 3, is present in the still picture group information GVOB #1,GVOB #2, . . . . In other words, additional audio group identificationinformation for designating additional audio data existing in the stillpicture group information and additional audio identificationinformation in the pertinent additional audio group are contained in thestill picture group information.

In order to locate a recording position of a specific still picture inthe still picture group, the start position of the still picture groupdata contained in the still picture group general information is addedto the size of the data preceding the still picture to be located.Likewise, in order to search the recording position of specificadditional audio data, the start position of the additional audio groupdata contained in the additional audio group general information isadded to the size of the data preceding the additional audio data to belocated.

In the case of a still picture group, video parts and audio parts areconsecutively recorded in a file or space. Thus, the video informationand the audio information each containing the size thereof are alsorecorded in the bitstream order in which the video data and the originalaudio data are actually recorded. In the case of an additional audiogroup, there is only the additional audio data. Thus, only theadditional audio information is recorded in the bitstream order in whichthe additional audio data is actually recorded.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, there is the still picture file 23 to whichthe original audio data may be added, the additional audio data file 24added to the still picture and the information file containing the PGCinformation 21 and the still picture information 22 having the stillpicture group information (GVOB) and the additional audio groupinformation (GAOB). However, the additional audio data may be recordedin a separate area of the still picture file 23, rather than in theadditional audio data file 24. The still picture file 23 can bedesignated by a first region, the additional audio data file 24 can bedesignated by a second region, and the information file containing thePGC information 21 and the still picture information 22 can bedesignated by a third region which is a logic region.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a recording/reproducing apparatus forimplementing the present invention. The function of an apparatus forrecording/reproducing A/V (audio/video) data using a recordable andrewriteable disk is largely divided into recording and reproduction.

During recording, an AV codec 110 compression-codes an externallyapplied A/V signal by a predetermined compression scheme and suppliessize information for compressed data. A digital signal processor (DSP)120 receives A/V data supplied from the AV codec 110, adds additionaldata for ECC (error correction code) processing thereto and performsmodulation using a predetermined modulation scheme. A radio frequencyamplifier (RF AMP) 130 converts electrical data supplied from the DSP120 into an RF signal. A pickup 140 drives a disk and records the RFsignal supplied from the RF AMP 130, incorporating an actuator forfocusing and tracking. A servo 150 receives information necessary forservo control from a system controller 160 and stably performs a servofunction. The system controller 160 controls the overall system throughinterfacing with a user to thus control the still picture to be recordedon the disk and record separate information for the recorded stillpicture. Still picture data are managed at a group level by constructingthe still picture group information of the information for therespective still pictures, including size information of still picturedata, size information of original audio data, playback time informationof original audio data and the like, and the position information of therespective still pictures, in the recording order of recorded stillpictures and audio data. When additional audio data is added to a stillpicture, the added additional audio data is recorded in a different filefrom or in the same file as that for the still picture but in adifferent area from that of the still picture. Additional audio data aremanaged at a group level by constructing additional audio groupinformation of the information for recorded additional audio data,including size information of additional audio data, playback timeinformation of additional audio data and the like, and positioninformation of the respective additional audio groups. The informationfor the respective still pictures includes information indicative of theadded additional audio data.

Cell information concerning the reproduction order is recorded as wellas the above-described information. The cell information containsinformation indicative of the recorded still picture group so that therecorded still picture and audio data can be reproduced.

During playback, the pickup 140 picks up the optical signal from thedisk having data stored therein and the data is extracted from theoptical signal. The RF AMP 130 converts the optical signal into an RFsignal, and extracts a servo signal for performing a servo function, andmodulated data. The DSP 120 demodulates modulated data supplied from theRF AMP 130 corresponding to the modulation scheme used duringmodulation, performs an ECC process to correct errors and eliminatesadded data. The servo unit 150 receives information necessary for servocontrol from the RF AMP 130 and the system controller 160 and stablyperforms a servo function. The AV codec 110 decodes the compressed A/Vdata supplied from the DSP 120 to output an A/V signal. The systemcontroller 160 controls the overall system for reproducing the user'sdesired data (still picture only, still picture+original audio data orstill picture+additional audio data) using the cell information andstill picture group information stored on the disk while performing userinterfacing such as processing of the user's key inputs.

In other words, in order to reproduce a specific still picture and audiodata, the still picture group information having the still picture to bereproduced is obtained from the cell information, and information suchas the size of the still picture data and the information for the datasize and playback time of original audio data, if any, is obtained fromthe still picture group information, thereby reproducing only desireddata. Also, if additional audio data is added to the still picture,desired additional audio data is reproduced using information for thedata size or playback time of the additional audio data from theadditional audio group information pointed to by the still picture groupinformation.

Also, if virtually deleted still picture information is read from thestill picture group information, the corresponding still picture andoriginal audio data are not reproduced so that although the dataactually exists, it seems to the user that it does not exist. Likewise,if the added additional audio data is virtually deleted, it is notreproduced.

Here, the A/V codec 110, the DSP 120, the RF AMP 130 and the pickup 140operating during recording can be referred to as a recording processor.Also, the pickup 140, the RF AMP 130, the DSP 120 and the A/V codec 110operating during playback can be referred to a reproduction processor.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between still picture data and stillpicture group information, in which the information for a plurality ofstill pictures (e.g., 64 maximally) having the same attributes isrecorded in the respective still picture group (GVOB) information 201.The number of the still pictures forming each still picture group isdetermined such that it is within the limit of the maximum number ofstill pictures. Each still picture group information 202 includes stillpicture group general information and information for the respectivestill pictures and is information for still picture data 203 includingvideo parts and video or audio parts in a sequence of bitstreamsrecorded. The still picture group generation information has the startaddress of the corresponding still picture group.

Also, as information for the respective still pictures, still pictureinformation having original audio data exists in the form of mapinformation including video part information for video parts and audiopart information for audio parts. Here, a video map and an audio map fora still picture have the same identification information. If the stillpicture information is composed of only a video part, it exists in theform of a map having only the video part information. Here, stillpicture data is recorded in a VOB.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between additional audio data added to astill picture and additional audio group information according to thepresent information, in which additional audio group (GAOB) information211 includes information for additional audio data recorded in units ofa plurality of still picture groups. Additional audio group information212 has additional audio group general information containing the startaddress of the corresponding additional audio group and audio maps(AMAPs) following the sequence of additional audio data. The informationfor additional audio data 213 including an additional audio part of astill picture is recorded in each additional audio map, inclusive ofsize information of the additional audio data.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between cell information (which can alsobe referred to as playback information) and still picture groupinformation, in which a cell is a logical unit in relation to indicationof a reproduction order. The cell information includes still picturegroup identification information (GVOB_ID), still picture reproductionstart identification information (START VOB_ID) of the correspondingstill picture group and still picture reproduction ending identificationinformation (END VOB_ID). The cell information may correspond to all thestill picture groups or may correspond to only some of the still picturegroups which are intended to be reproduced.

The additional audio data is stored in a separate area from the stillpicture data, that is, in a different file or in a different area of thesame file from or as that of the still picture data.

For example, in the case when the additional audio data is stored in aseparate file from the still picture data, as shown in FIG. 7, GVOB #1,#2 and #3 having still picture data constitute a file. Also, as shown inFIG. 8, GAOB #1, #2 and #3 having additional audio data constitute afile. Thus, in the case of recording/reproducing actual still picture oradditional audio data, the still picture or additional audio data isaccessed using the information of each file.

Alternatively, in the case when the additional audio data and the stillpicture data are stored in one and the same file, GVOB #1, #2 and #3 andGAOB #1, #2 and #3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 constitute a file. Inconstituting the file in such a manner, the respective GVOBs and GAOBsmay be mixed in the recording order, for example, in the order of GVOB#1, GVOB #2, GAOB #1, GVOB #3, GAOB #2 and GAOB #3. In this particularcase, it is easy to allocate the space for recording. That is, simplesequential allocation in recording order regardless of the group type ispossible. Otherwise, the GVOBs and GAOBs are coupled and arranged ineach batch to constitute a file.

FIG. 8 shows the relationship among cell information, still picturegroup information and additional audio group information, fordesignating desired additional audio data in the additional audio grouprecorded in a separate area as well as original audio data as the audiodata added to a still picture. The cell information includes stillpicture group identification information (GVOB_ID), still picturereproduction start identification information (START VOB_ID) in thecorresponding still picture group and still picture reproduction endingidentification information (END VOB_ID). Video part information in theinformation for still picture group GVOB #1 may have information fordesignating additional audio data added to a still picture, that is,additional audio group identification information and additional audioidentification information in the corresponding additional audio group.For example, additional audio group identification information GAOB #jand identification information #2 indicating that the additional audiodata is the second audio map in the GAOB #j exist in the video partinformation for a still picture #2 of the still picture group GVOB #i.

FIG. 9 illustrates the structure of still picture group informationaccording to the present invention, which includes still picture groupgeneral information and a still picture map table, and may furtherinclude attribute information for a still picture such as picture sizesor video encoding modes.

FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of stillpicture group general information shown in FIG. 9, which includesGVOB_ID representing information for identifying a still picture groupin a still picture file, GVOB_S_ADR representing the start address offirst still picture data in the corresponding still picture group in thestill picture file, GVOB_Ns representing the number of still pictures inthe still picture group. Also, the identification information GVOB_IDcan be expressly recorded as a unique one for each still picture groupin a still picture file or can be suggestively indicated in the order ofstill picture groups, that is, #1, #2, . . . .

FIG. 11 illustrates the structure of the still picture map table shownin FIG. 9. There are two types of maps; one is video maps VMAPs forvideo parts and the other is audio maps AMAPs for original audio partsadded to the still pictures. The order of maps is the same as that ofdata of recorded bitstreams in a still picture file as shown in FIG. 5.Thus, in the case when a still picture has only a video part, there isonly a video map. In the case when a still picture has original audiodata in addition to the video part, both a video map and an audio mapare recorded and are practically considered as one map using the sameidentification information.

FIG. 12 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of avideo map in the map table shown in FIG. 11, containing MAP_TYindicating the type of a corresponding map and represented by a binary“0” in the case of a video map for a video part, VOB_ID indicatingidentification information for the video part and ranging from 1 to 64in the preferred embodiments. Also, VOB_ID can be expressly indicated orsuggestively indicated in the recording order, that is, #1, #2, #3, . .. .

Also, the video map contains V_PART_SZ indicating the size of a videopart, GAOB_ID which is identification information of an additional audiogroup, the value of which exists if a still picture has additional audiodata, and the value of which is “0” if a still picture does not haveadditional audio data, and AOB_ID which is identification information ofadditional audio data in an additional audio group if a still picturehas additional audio data, and the value of which is “0” if a stillpicture does not have additional audio data.

Here, VOB_ID and V_PART_SZ can be referred to as still picture positioninformation, and GAOB_ID and AOB_ID can be referred to as additionalaudio connectivity information.

FIG. 13 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of anoriginal audio map, containing MAP_TY indicating the type of acorresponding map and represented by a binary value “1” in the case ofan audio map for an audio part, A_PBTM indicating the playback time ofan audio part and A_PART_SZ indicating the size of an audio part.

FIG. 14 illustrates the structure of additional audio group informationfor a still picture according to the present invention, containingadditional audio general information and an additional audio map tablefor the still picture. Also, additional audio attribute information forthe still picture may be further included.

FIG. 15 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents ofadditional audio general information for a still picture, shown in FIG.14, containing GAOB_ID indicating identification information for anadditional audio group in an additional audio file, GAOB_S_ADRindicating the start address of the first additional audio data in thecorresponding additional audio group in the additional audio file, andGAOB_Ns indicating the number of additional audio parts contained in theadditional audio groups. GAOB_ID can be expressly indicated orsuggestively indicated in the recording order.

FIG. 16 illustrates the structure of an additional audio map tableconsisting of n additional audio maps for additional audio parts shownin FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of theadditional audio map table for the still picture shown in FIG. 16,containing AOB_ID indicating identification information for a specificaudio part in an additional audio group and ranging from 1 to 64 in thepreferred embodiments, A_PBTM indicating the playback time of additionalaudio data and A_PART_SZ indicating the size of additional audio datasuch as the number of sectors. Here, AOB_ID can be expressly indicatedor suggestively indicated in the recording order, that is, #1, #2, #3, .. . .

FIG. 18 is a table showing an example of the detailed contents of cellinformation for a still picture, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, containingS_GVOB_ID indicating identification information for a still picturegroup, S_VOB_ID indicating identification information for a stillpicture in which reproduction starts, and E_VOB_ID indicatingidentification information for a still picture in which reproductionends.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a flow chart showing a method of recordinga still picture according to an embodiment of the present invention,that is, a method of recording a still picture and original audio data.First, it is determined whether a still picture or both a still pictureand original audio data is recorded (step S101). Still picture groupinformation is generated, identification for a still picture group isallocated, the number of still pictures in the still picture group isset to “0” and the start address of the still picture group in a stillpicture file is recorded (step S102). It is then determined whether arecording start signal of a still picture is input by a user or not(step S103). If the recording start signal is input, the still pictureis recorded in the still picture file, identification information forthe still picture is allocated to the still picture group information,the number of still pictures in the still picture group is increased byone and the size information of the still pictures is recorded in thevideo map (step S104).

It is determined whether or not a mode set by a user is for recordingboth a still picture and original audio data (step S105). If yes, theaudio data for the still picture is recorded following after thecorresponding still picture on the still picture file and the audio sizeinformation is recorded in an audio map in the still picture groupinformation (step S106).

It is determined whether the number of still pictures recorded is enoughto constitute the information for a still picture group (e.g., 64maximally) (step S107). If the still picture group information iscompleted, the procedure returns to step S102 to generate another stillpicture group information. Otherwise, the procedure proceeds to stepS103 to determine whether a recording start signal of a still picture isinput by a user or not.

If the mode set by a user is for recording only a still picture in stepS105, step S106 is skipped and the procedure proceeds to step 107 torecord the next still picture. If the recording start signal of a stillpicture is not input by a user in step S103, it is determined whether ornot to terminate recording (step S108). If it is determined to terminaterecording, cell information is recorded and the procedure ends (stepS109). Here, the cell information is created for every still picturegroup so as for all still pictures to be reproduced.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a method of recording additional audiodata after recording a still picture according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention. First, additional audio group information isgenerated, identification information for an additional audio group isallocated, the number of additional audio parts in the additional audiogroup is set to “0” and the start address of the audio group is recordedin an additional audio file (step S201).

It is then determined whether the recording start signal of additionalaudio data is input by a user or not (step S202). If the recording startsignal is input, a specific still picture to which the user desires toadd additional audio data is designated (step S203). The additionalaudio data is recorded in an additional audio file, identificationinformation for additional audio data in the audio map of the additionalaudio group information is allocated, the number of additional audioparts in the additional audio group is increased by one, and the sizeinformation of the additional audio data in the audio map is recorded(step S204). Although it has been described herein that the additionalaudio data is recorded in a different file from that of the stillpicture, the additional audio data can be recorded in a separate area ofthe same file as that of the still picture.

Identification information for the still picture group of apredetermined still picture and identification information for the stillpicture are read and the information for the still picture, that is,identification information for an additional audio group for anadditional audio part and identification information for additionalaudio data, are recorded in the video map for the predetermined stillpicture (step S205).

It is then determined whether the number of additional audio parts in anadditional audio group reaches N, that is, enough to constitute a group(step S206). If yes, the procedure goes to step S201 to generate anotheradditional audio group information. Otherwise, it is determined whetherthe recording start signal of additional audio data is input by a user(step S202). If a recording start signal of additional audio data is notinput by a user in step 202, the procedure is terminated.

Here, the step of designating a specific still picture (step S203) mayprecede the step of determining whether or not a recording start signalof additional audio data is input by a user (step S202).

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a method of reproducing a still pictureaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, that is, amethod of reproducing a still picture and original audio data addedthereto. Referring to FIG. 21, PGC information and cell information areread (step S301). Identification information for a still picture groupto be reproduced, playback start identification information and playbackending identification information are read from the cell information toread the still picture group information pointed to by the cell (stepS302). Video map information for the video part corresponding to theplayback start identification information in the read still picturegroup information is obtained to read the size of a video part, or bothvideo map information and audio map information are obtained in the caseof a still picture having original audio data to read the size of avideo part and the size of an audio part (step S303).

The position of a desired still picture is calculated by the read videopart information and video data located at the calculated position isread and decoded to reproduce the still picture (step S304). Here, theposition of a desired still picture is obtained by summing the startposition of a still picture group and the size of data preceding thedesired still picture. While the still picture is reproduced, it isdetermined whether original audio data is added to the still picture(step S305). If yes, the original audio data is read and decoded toreproduce the original audio data (step S306). Here, the readingposition of the original audio data is obtained by summing thecalculated position of the still picture and the size of a video part ofthe still picture. It is checked whether all still pictures belonging toa cell are reproduced or not using the cell information and then it isdetermined whether or not there is a still picture to be reproduced next(step S307). If yes, the information for the video part of a stillpicture to be reproduced next is read (step S303). Otherwise, theprocedure is terminated. In the case when there are a plurality ofseries of cell information, this routine is repeated.

Here, the step of determining whether original audio data is added to astill picture (step S305) may be performed directly after the step ofreading the still picture group information (step S302). This is becauseit is possible to determine that original audio data is added to a stillpicture in the case when an audio map for an audio part is addedsubsequently to a video map for a video part, in accordance with thestill picture group information.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate a flowchart showing a method of reproducinga still picture according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, that is, a method of reproducing a still picture, a stillpicture having original audio data, or a still picture having additionalaudio data. Referring to FIG. 22A, cell information is read from PGCinformation (step S401) and then still picture group information pointedto by a cell to be reproduced is read (step 402). Information for thestart position of a still picture group is read from the read stillpicture group information and the position of a desired still picture iscalculated (step S403). Here, the position of a desired still picture isobtained by summing the start position of a still picture group and thesize of data preceding the desired still picture. The video data is readand decoded in accordance with the position information of the desiredstill picture to reproduce the still picture (step S404).

It is then checked whether additional audio data is present in the stillpicture group information or not (step S405). If not, it is checkedwhether there is original audio data (step S406). Here, the presence ofadditional audio data in the map information for a video part of thedesired still picture to be reproduced can be determined using theidentification information for an additional audio group and theidentification information for additional audio data. The presence oforiginal audio data can be known by determining whether there is audioinformation (an audio map) in the map table of the desired still pictureto be reproduced.

If there is original audio data in step S406, the read position of theoriginal audio data is calculated (step S407). Here, the read positionof the original audio data is obtained by summing the calculatedposition of the still picture and the size of the video part of thestill picture. Original audio data is read from the calculated positioninformation of the still picture and decoded to reproduce the originalaudio data (step S408) and the procedure proceeds to step S411 as shownin FIG. 22B.

If additional audio data is present in step S405, that is, if the readidentification information for the additional audio group designated tothe still picture and identification information for the additionalaudio data are not “0”, the start position of the additional audio groupis read from the additional audio group information to calculate theposition of desired additional audio data (step S409 in FIG. 22B). Theposition of desired additional audio data is obtained by summing thestart position of an additional audio group and the size of theadditional audio data preceding the additional audio data having theidentification information for desired additional audio data in theadditional audio group.

Additional audio data is read from the calculated position informationfor the desired additional audio data and is decoded to reproduce theadditional audio data (step S410). Then, it is determined whether thereis a still picture to be reproduced next (step S411). If yes, theprocedure returns to step S403. Otherwise, the procedure is terminated(step S411). In the case of reproducing a plurality of cells, theoverall procedure is repeated.

Alternatively, instead of step 405 of determining whether additionalaudio data is present or not and step 406 of determining whetheroriginal audio data is present or not, it is first determined using thestill picture group information read in step S402 whether the stillpicture to be reproduced is a still picture having only a video part,one having original audio data added thereto, or one having additionalaudio data added thereto. If the still picture has only a video part,steps S403 and S404 are performed. If the still picture has originalaudio data, steps S403, S404, S407 and S408. If the still picture hasadditional audio data, steps S403, S404, S409, S410 and S411.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, beforereproduction, a reproduction mode is set by interfacing with a user todetermine whether only a still picture is to be reproduced, both a stillpicture and original audio data are to be reproduced, or both a stillpicture and additional audio data are to be reproduced.

As described above, according to the present invention, large-capacitystill pictures, original audio parts added thereto and additional audiodata can be recorded using minimum information. During reproduction,data can be displayed and edited in units of still pictures. Also, it ispossible to cope with after-recording of the audio data using theadditional audio data.

Also, video maps and/or audio maps for still pictures can be formed in arecording order of bitstreams, thereby allowing effective management ofinformation.

1. A reproducing apparatus to reproduce data from a recording mediumhaving a first region, a second region, and a third region, comprising:a pickup to read at least one still picture from the first region, atleast one additional audio data from the second region and whichcorresponds to the read one still picture, and to read from the thirdregion information indicating a connectivity between still picturesincluding the read one still picture in the first region and additionalaudio data in the second region; and a controller which controls thepickup to read the at least one still picture, the at least oneadditional audio data, and the information, manages the read at leastone additional audio data at a group level according to at least oneadditional audio group information which arranges the one additionalaudio data including the read at least one additional audio data into anadditional audio group according to the read information from the thirdregion, determines the connectivity between the read at least one stillpicture and the read at least one additional audio data according to theread information, determines from the one additional audio groupinformation a start position of the additional audio group and sizes ofeach additional audio data in the additional audio group, and reproducesthe read at least one still picture and the read at least one additionalaudio data according to the determined connectivity, start position, andsizes.
 2. The reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the at leastone still picture comprises still pictures stored in groups in the firstregion, the at least one additional audio data comprises additionalaudio data stored in groups in the second region and which correspond tothe still pictures of the first region, and the controller determinesfrom the read information start positions on the recording medium foreach of the still picture groups and additional audio groups, and sizesof video parts or video parts and audio parts for each of the stillpictures in each still picture group and each of the additional audiodata in each additional audio group, and reproduces the read stillpictures and additional audio data according to the determined startpositions and sizes.
 3. The reproducing apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe at least one still picture stored in the first region includes videodata.
 4. The reproducing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least onestill picture stored in the first region further includes audio data.